Ruby McKnight

“Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies”…

Ruby Nell Carter was born to the loving parentage of Earnest Curtis Carter and Jerry Dean Carter on January 1, 1933 in Palmer, Texas. At the age of 1 year old, Jerry Dean remarried and God in his infinite wisdom gave the charge to John Wiley Wedgeworth as Ruby’s father who lovingly accepted her as his own and raised her. Mr. Wedgworth (Big Daddy) moved the family to Dallas Texas.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness…

Ruby received her formal education from N.W. Harlee Elementary and was a 1951 graduate of Lincoln High School. She later matriculated to Prairie View A&M University receiving her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education in 1954 and her Master’s in Education (M.ed) with a minor in Bilingual Education in 1975. For many years Ruby served as a very supportive alumnus of the Prairie View A&M University, serving as secretary of her Alumni Class of 1954 under the past and current President, Ceaser Roy. She financially supported Prairie View A&M annually. In 2004, Ruby was honored to participate in her 50th year ceremony during the Annual Homecoming game.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands…

Ruby gained employment with Dallas Independent School District as a first-grade schoolteacher in 1956 at Colonial Elementary School, Dallas Texas where she worked for 5 years. After the premature birth of her son John at 6 months, weighing only 2 pounds she and her husband were told that he was not expected to live, and his health declined, reducing his weight to 1 pound. God’s miraculous healing stepped in and allowed John to continue to breath but having to remain in the hospital for three months due to contracting pneumonia, where Ruby visited him every day encouraging him to live. During this time DISD did not have maternity leave which forced her to be unpaid, while taking care of her baby. In 1965, Ruby gained employment with DISD as a 1st grade schoolteacher with Albert Sidney Johnston Elementary School. Ruby is known for her ability as an effective teacher raising the achievement level of her students. She rendered distinguished service to the PTA throughout her career. She served as chairperson of the PTA committee. During the 1983-84 school year, she was honored by this group with a Texas PTA Honorary Life Membership. She was also awarded Teacher of the Year in 1984 of the Albert Sidney Johnston Elementary School  and was nominated for The Cabell Golden Apple Award. Ruby has taught 3 generations of families. Many of her students have come back to thank her for their beginning education. After loving on all of her babies, she fully retired after 38 years in 1994.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil…

On June 7, 1958 Ruby Nell Carter became the wife of Rev. Sammie Lee Davis Sr. After having to relocated to Big Spring, Texas, Reverend Davis was called to become Pastor of Mount Bethel Baptist Church in Big Spring, Texas where Ruby became First Lady for two years. In 1960, Griggs Chapel Baptist Church in Dallas was in search of a Pastor and reached out to Pastor Davis. He accepted the calling, where he and his bride relocated back to Dallas, Texas where he became the Senior Pastor and Ruby served as First Lady of Griggs Chapel for two years. Their first-born son, John Alman was born on March 1, 1961.

In May 1963, Pastor Davis was led to organize Fellowship Baptist Church where Ruby continued serving as First Lady from May 1963 until 1967, where he affectionately referred to her as the “Black Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy, (aka) Jackie O” referring to her style, elegance, poise, and grace, which complemented her impeccable taste in fashion.

“She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple…

On December 21, 1963, a ‘WHIRLWIND’ blew in by the name of Sammie Gail Davis (aka) Sondra Nell Davis. In 1970, Ruby wedded Joseph J. McKnight, Sr. where she gained bonus children, Ephraim McKnight, Stephanie McKnight and Joseph J. McKnight, Jr.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised…

Ruby accepted Christ at an early age at Greater El Bethel Baptist Church under the pastorage of F.D. Davis where she caught the eye of Reverend Sammie Lee Davis, Sr. In 1968, Ruby united with St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Her greatest contribution to St. Mark AME Zion spans more than 50 years. She interacted with every organization (She was affectionately called “THE BISHOP” by John & Sondra). Ruby served on the Usher Board, sang in the choir, an avid Christian Education Missionary, Treasurer of the Texas Conference Board of Home Missions, Treasurer of the Conference Christian Education Department for more than 30 years, Church Trustee Board and member and supporter of the Sunday School. Her influence set a standard for all. She was a faithful contributor of her Time, Tithe, and Offerings. The legacy of Ruby Nell McKnight is one her church will cherish forever.

Ruby remained an active member for 50 years until her health began to decline where her duty as secretary was relinquished.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy…  

Ruby was inducted into The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dallas Alumnae Chapter on May 4, 1974. She received her 25th year recognition on January 23, 1999 and later became a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was a member of 3 Bridge Clubs: 9 of Diamonds, 13 Hearts and L’ EntresNous and she served as Secretary of The Marsalis Park Homeowners Association for more than 25 years.

She is preceded in death by her son, Pastor, Dr. John Alman Davis, her bonus children, Ephraim McKnight, Stephanie Perry and Joseph J. McKnight, Jr., parents, Ernest Carter, Jerry Dean Wedgeworth and John Wiley Wedgeworth, two brothers, Arnell Carter and Roy Williams, one sister, Karen Carter and one niece, Monique Hitchens-Perkins.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates…

Ruby was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2011 and after she could no longer care for herself her loving and dedicated daughter, Sondra Nell in 2015 assumed total care and responsibility using her professional nursing skills giving her mother excellent and precise care by working daily as a nurse and coming home working to take care of her mother.

Ruby initially contracted Covid-19 on June 26, 2020 and finally tested negative on September 1, 2020 and was released to come home on September 23, 2020. Her fight was not finished for she tested Covid-19 positive again for the 2nd time on November 8, 2020. On December 3, 2020 God granted her healing of testing negative again where she was able to go home and enjoy her family where she was ultimately spoiled by having private sitters.

On EASTER SUNDAY, April 4, 2021 Sondra saw the drastic decline in health of her mother which was most heartbreaking for she knew that heaven was opening its gates for her mom. April 9, 2021 Sondra was notified by hospice that her mother had taken a drastic decline and she immediately ran to her bedside and faithfully remained until her peaceful demise April 13, 2021 at 3:10 pm. She was also surrounded by her sister, Gloria Jean Baker, her only niece, Annitra Verrett, two of her devoted church members and friends, Marybelle Whiteman and Mary Beavers. Heaven rejoiced when Ruby arrived at The Holy City where her son, John joyfully ran to greet and welcome her at the GATE.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night…

By leaving an indelible mark on her dedicated and devoted daughter, Sondra Nell Davis; her daughter in love, Frances L. Davis, her grandchildren, Tony O’Neal Govan, II, Tonyce Samone Govan, TaSondra Ranell Govan, Arnice’ Mosley and Edrick Mosley, II; her great grandchildren, Kushanti T’Rae Govan, Treasure Serenity Govan, Zyhir Quanito Dorsey, soon to arrive Baby Boy Govan, Edrick Mosley, III (Trip) and E’Mahri Mosley; her brother, Kevin Ernest Carter; her sisters, Gloria Jean Baker (Daniel) and Kelly Elizabeth Carter; her nephews, Ruddie Edward Hitchens, II (Jackie), Kevin Ernest Carter, II, Keion Ernest Carter and Gerald Perkins; her only niece, Annitra Hitchens-Verrett; her great nephew, Ryan Camron Verrett; her great nieces, Megan Monique Robicheaux (Craig) and Holli Maria Hitchens. Her bonus daughter in law, Nan McKnight and grandchildren, Stephen McKnight aka Steve Nice (K104), Jonathan McKnight (Dekema), Leonard Perry, II (Christina), Ricki Perry-Dunn (Gerald) and Denisha Turnage. 17 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren. Goddaughter, Jacquelyn Brown (Guy) and Godson, Dawrence White, II whom she loved dearly, along with a host of friends throughout her years that she held ‘dear’ to her heart. Ruby will be greatly missed by St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church.

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